Glasnost

Glasnost ("openness") was a series of reforms passed by Communist Party of the Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev from 1985 to 1987 that increased government transparency, reformed the judicial system, loosened travel restrictions, and decentralized the government. The policies were meant to give more freedom to Soviet citizens and help the government in meeting its citizens' needs, but it instead resulted in several Soviet republics breaking away due to increased nationalist sentiments. In addition, as contact with the outside world grew, Western businesspeople were able to expand their operations to Russia, taking over Russia's economy.